Here are a few of the images from the past...

Remember this? A big thank you to the couple from Dustable who gave us the original sign!

The California Ballroom 1960 - 1979

Inside the Cali

Stevie Wonder at the Cali  6th October 1967. Notice Stevie's flash cuff links, of which one fell off on the night. An eagle eyed Chris Green, son of owner Edwin Green, salvaged it from a very hectic evening. Chris still has the cuff link to this day.

Courtesy of Dunstable Gazzette
The Drifters at the Cali 1973 - Line up Bill Fredericks with mic in hand  Grant Kitchings close to the camera Johnny Moore & Butch Leake

"What does the California Ballroom mean to me? For a start, it is where I grew up and got myself a sound education. A place where I was entertained to the max and was lucky enough to be part of the show.

A top American band, just about every week, the latest imports in The Devils Den, later to be reincarnated as Didoz, all to be shared with hundreds of people in an atmosphere full of enthusiasm. But all things come to an end.....for a while.

For the past few years Sid has been DJing and promoting the California reunion gigs. Top bands, great music and again I can do my thing upstairs, all being enjoyed by hundreds of not only those older original soul rebels, but by a younger generation too, all able to see, hear and touch the past. Now that's what the Cali-r means to me!" Louie Martin - September 2003

Mr H opens the Devils Den in 1972
Mr H says "It was the first night in the Devils Den and everything was brand new. MicK Ilka told me to be careful with the new decks as he had paid a hundred pound a piece for them. That was a lot of money then!"

"The night was a blast, we were all having a great time. What did I then go and do? I spilled a pint of lager over Micks new decks. Still we got through and I went on to have many, many great nights there. Later I was accompanied by a young Mr Hudson and a very young Louie Martin."